Monday, January 30, 2012

"In the consumer market, Apple's iOS and Android's licensees have engaged in a consumer tug of war over sales. Among enterprise buyers however, Apple has maintained extensive lead that is only strengthening."

Interesting read on how Apple has maintained marketshare and in fact increased it over Android when it comes to the enterprise market.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

"Following Apple's incredible sales numbers from yesterday's quarterly earnings report, the iPhone has taken the number one spot in U.S. market share from Google's Android OS, according to the researchers at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech."

Pretty impressive, especially when you consider the number of different Android phones out there in the marketplace isn't it?

Monday, December 12, 2011

"As we reported over on the sister blog, Google just launched Currents, their Flipboard/Pulse style reader for iPhone and iPad (and I guess Android too)."

You can download it here for iOS, and here for Android, and it works on whatever device you are using, be it a phone or a tablet or iPad. It's an interesting read on how they make it work for all of these devices, and you can read it yourself right here.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

"Google recently announced it was going to put an 18 month upgrade requirement on any handset that wants to be Google-certified, meaning if you buy a handset today, you're guaranteed OS updates for 18 months."

A different philosophy indeed! I understand why the hardware manufacturers don't want to push out updates so that people will buy new phones to get the new goodies, but that certainly isn't a very good model if you want to retain customers. Apple is in the hardware business too, but they don't have a problem getting out updates that work on their older handsets, as evidenced by the chart above. Who do you think has the customer's best interests in mind? I know who my money is on, but what are your thoughts?

Monday, October 3, 2011

"Net Applications has come out with new numbers showing mobile OS market share."

You can see a little dip there in February of 2011, but iOS is back on the rise, and the only other one on an upward course is Android. While not as steep, a rise just the same. I think the other ones should just give it up. I doubt they are going to be around much longer anyway if this keeps up. What are your thoughts?

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

"In a recent report from Nielsen, Google snagged 40 percent of the smartphone market, while Apple captured approximately 28 percent -- up just barely .01 percentage point from last year."

The only thing that surprises me about this is that there are so many that desire RIM for their next smartphone operating system. Maybe that and the fact that 30% of the late adopters aren't sure what they want. You would think that with all of the information out there, this percentage wouldn't be as high.

Friday, September 23, 2011

"Space geeks take note -- NASA has just released several audio samples of famous moments in space history for use as ringtones on your smartphone."

Head on over to this site and see the list of all the ringtones available, including sounds from shuttle missions as well as Apollo and Mercury missions. Once you get the one you like, they also offer a handy walk through guide for putting them on your iPhone. If you have an Android, the best way to do it is to get the NASA Android app here.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

"At first, it must have looked so easy. Within nanoseconds of Steve Jobs' January 2010 unveiling of the iPad, a gaggle of companies decided to get into the tablet business."

After one and three quarter years, there is still no real challenger to the iPad, although many have tried (and some have already failed and/or bailed), and many are still trying. The current status: Android, while a runaway success on phones, still isn't able to duplicate that success on tablets - maybe Ice Cream Sandwich will be a game changer; HP's WebOS, so long, we hardly knew ye; RIM's (PlayBook) QNX is battling to keep from ending-up last, despite the advantages of a solid OS without app support; Windows, with Windows 8 still pretty far away, is an unknown quantity at this point, but can't be overlooked. So, the iPad still rules the roost, at least in CNET's view. Anyone think that Amazon can be a serious competitor if they choose to enter the fray?

Monday, August 22, 2011

"Apple and Google are clearly the two front-runners competing for market share in the mobile world, which is why it's no surprise we think of iOS and Android when we think of apps. With the growth of the smartphone industry also came the resurgence of native apps (thanks largely in part to Apple's App Store which still dominates the space). However, Mozilla hopes that web apps will soon mature to provide a comparable experience for end users and an even better alternative for developers."

It's no secret that some are switching to web-based versus app based access due to what they deem restrictive guidelines in the Apple App store. This would make this move by Mozilla a pretty astute one, and since it is across all platforms it would appear to be a benefit regardless of your phones operating system. The plans are for the APIs to interact with your phones address book, contacts etc so you would have the same functionality as if you were using a native app. The only difference is that it would be in your browser and would work the same on an iPhone, Android or Windows phone platform. I really don't have a preference per se, since I use very few apps that work with Internet access anyway, so if I'm using a browser or an app, as long as it functions the same why would I care? The only reason I can think of would be one of security or stability, since the apps on the iPhone go through approval process. What are your preferences? Or does it matter to you? If it does matter, I'm curious why.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

"Do you have too much info to remember? Do you wish you could take all your passwords, credit cards, account information and logins with you - so they're handy when you want them? But keep them safe - so you don't have to worry about intruders finding them? You need eWallet GO!TM If you want secure, easy, mobile storage for all your info, just grab eWallet GO! and take your passwords with you everywhere you GO!"

Well now...here's a good deal! Effective now and running until the 21st of this month, you can get eWallet GO! for a mere 99 cents on Windows Phone 7, Android, and iPhone/iPod Touch devices. On Windows and Mac versions, the software is free. Sweet! Jump here to find the version you need. The OS X version is in the Mac App store, and the Windows version requires registration for the free download. On iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 7, you'll find it in their respective app stores.

"Appfortel, the Russian developer of mobile applications is proud to announce the release of a unique Beta-version service for organizing your contacts – LiveContacts – in mid-summer 2011. The LiveContacts application will contain a number of functions aimed at livening up your address directories and supporting the contacts in your phonebook in an actual and “animated” way. Today, from hundreds to thousands of contacts are stored in phonebooks of large megacities’ representatives. Many of them quickly become outdated – time has an impact on all kinds of information. Changes can be observed in surnames, workplaces, addresses, jobs and positions, telephone numbers, and other contact data."

A new way in presenting your contacts (Livening them up!) is on its way to you from "Appfortel" LLC, a Russian start-up who wants to breathe life into the staid contact apps on a number of handset platforms, namely Windows Mobile, Android, iOS & Symbian. I contacted Denis Pushkar to confirm whether their Press Release was correct with Windows Mobile, and it is. It looks like the Appfortel code warriors are giving some love back to the Windows Mobile device users; Windows Phone 7, at this point, is not getting the App. The service and respective platform apps are due to start appearing around the end of July.

I still have my Omnia II hiding in the paper tray on my desk. I may just, get a chance, to Liven it up with LiveContacts when released. The scant details hint that a web service is used, and pulling contact details like contact linking on WP7. More details when Appfortel's website goes "Live" soon, here and here.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

"Google's Eric Schmidt spoke at a mobile conference in Tokyo and addressed HTC's early loss to Apple in a patent infringement case. Schmidt believes HTC will prevail and is "not too worried about this" case. He also added that Google will "make sure" HTC does not lose this case."

Wonder how they can make sure that HTC does not lose the case other than bribing those involved, or is that what he has planned? Jokes aside, I don't think anything is a sure thing, so I find it humorous when anyone makes bold statements such as this one. The most ridiculous statement though, was when he accused Apple of using lawsuits in place of innovation in order to compete. Keep it classy Eric.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

"The second-generation Apple tablet and the arrival of a CDMA version of iPhone 4 on the Verizon Wireless network together worked like magic to re-new interest in the iOS platform."

So even though there are reports of unhappy developers, iOS continues to be the platform that developers are using. Android lost about 8% in developer support from Q1 to Q2, dropping from 36% to 28% according to the survey. Interesting that we are seeing these developments after the Verizon iPhone arrival, so perhaps the huge numbers that Android was able to achieve prior were just because no one wanted to go to AT&T and would rather go Android. Now that they have a choice, they appear to be moving to iOS, at least the developers are seeming to move that way. What are your thoughts?

Monday, June 27, 2011

"n an attempt to comply with pro-consumer laws, Apple is going to allow customers who mistakenly purchase an iOS app or get burned by a shoddy one the ability to get a refund within seven days of purchase. Don't get too excited, though: you'll have to live in Taiwan to take advantage of the revised return policy."

This is aggravating, I wish we had the same thing offered to us outside of Thailand. I've purchased several apps that I wish I hadn't and this would be the perfect out. It might also keep a lot of the crap out of the app store. I try to read through the reviews and determine which ones I can trust before purchasing the app, but sometimes the bad ones get through. Even if it were just a one day deal I would be happy. Apple seems to be playing by the rule of law in Thailand but what about Google and their Android Marketplace? No dice so far, they refuse to allow returns.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

"A simple car mount that won't fall mid-drive is all anyone really needs. Still, there's something to be said for one that can stick firmly to almost any surface."

ExoGear sells the mount for $29.95 USD, and it is pretty versatile as you can see from the photo above. Granted, all the photos show an iPhone 4 but if you visit their site you will see that it will work with any device up to a 5-inch screen (thinking tablet here). They even have it adapted to use as an iPad holder or stand by flipping the suction cup around. A one size fits all mount if you will and the price certainly is affordable.

Monday, June 20, 2011

"Google may have beaten Apple to NFC, but a recent survey reveals that only 24% of Android users are actually interested in using the technology to make purchases. iPhone owners are still waiting for an NFC-enabled model, but 40% can't wait to pay in a store using their phone."

I'm one of those 40%. However 70% of the 1,000 people surveyed have no interest in mobile wallets, or they don't even understand what that means. All I know is I can't wait until I can use my iPhone to pay for more than Starbucks coffee. How about you, are you chomping at the bit to get NFC and mobile payment ability or is it something you have little interest in?

"A new survey of attendees at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference found that nearly half of iOS developers attending the conference support Android, while just 7 percent write applications for the Mac."

Interesting survey to say the least, done by Piper Jaffray at the WWDC last week and released Monday. 45 developers were polled about a variety of topics. One interesting tidbit, while 47% of them also write for the Android platform, they prefer the monetization and ease of development via the Apple way versus how Google handles it. This comes on the heels of another survey that shows of all developers, 67% write for Android while 59% write for iOS. Both are up over last years survey by roughly 10%. That is a lot of growth, and while Android is outpacing iOS, they also found that iOS users are more likely to purchase apps.

Granted, these are developers that all develop for iOS, but 51% of them also said that they saw greater potential for growth from iOS than Android. If you were to ask the 47% who write for Android however, 66% of them say Android has the higher potential. These are all just opinions of course, but educated ones from people that have been in the application business so you can't just write off what they say. I think the biggest point of all of this is that only 7% actually are writing for Mac. What do you think that is saying for the Mac platform?

Sunday, June 12, 2011

"Apple this week called Amazon’s Appstore for Android “inferior” as it urged a federal court to block the online retailer from using the term “appstore,” court documents show. In the same filing, Apple also cited Android security problems, including one last week where Google was forced to pull more than 30 malicious apps from its own Android Market."

Interesting that while Apple is still facing opposition from Microsoft in their efforts (starting in 2008) to trademark "App Store," they're trying to get Amazon to not use "appstore." Apple asserts that Amazon's content delivery is "inferior" (not the Android OS), and that Amazon's hosting of arguably insecure apps tarnishes Apple's brand (mark), in part by allowing apps for "rooted" (or jailbroken in Apple's parlance) systems to be hosted at Amazon. I wonder if this is a bit of retribution for Amazon opening its "Mac Software Downloads" store to compete directly with Apple. Somebody being vindictive in Cupertino?

Friday, June 10, 2011

"A new survey from Vision Mobile and Bluevia finds that Android is the most popular mobile platform amongst developers, with 67 percent of mobile developers indicating they're developing for Android in 2011-that's an 8 percent improvement over 2010."

We have a winner, folks! A new survey just released from Vision Mobile and Bluevia found that Android is the most popular platform for developers! But not far behind is development for iPhone. Does this mean that Android is slated to be the market leader in years to come?

Monday, May 23, 2011

"Google wrapped up on Friday with a long-requested version of Google Maps for smartphones. Both Android and iOS users can both track their individual location with the usual Google Maps layers, such as satellite maps and traffic, as well as get directions. Place pages have their own optimizations and tie in properly with the map."

This was released Friday and works anywhere Google Maps exists. On top of that, the one big advantage is the continual updating you get from web versions over apps, which require updates from either Apple or Google. Sign-on to Google and you get access to all your favorite locations, saved maps and landmarks.